Followers

Saturday, 12 February 2011

Tomorrow see's that there is only one Premier League game. This is between Bolton and Everton. This game is being played at the Reebok Stadium, kick off for this certain game is at 16:00GMT. This game is live on Sky Sports 1 Also Available in High Definition!

My own pridiction for this game is Everton 2 - 1 Bolton. With Cahil bagging 2 and Davies Getting the 1 for Bolton.

If Everton win they can move up to 8th leapfrogging Bolton. While if Bolton win they will remain in 8th but one point behind Sunderland who are in 7th.

I would like Bolton to win as of course i am a Liverpool fan, but i don't see them winning against a Inform Everton team coming from a 5-3 Win against Blackpool, however their star striker in that game scored 4 (Saha) is injured and out of action.

A few stats for this game are followed

Bolton have only won one of their last nine games against Everton, losing six of those matches.

The first league meeting of these clubs ended in Bolton'sfirst Football League victory - 6-2 at home in September 1888.

Wanderers have won only one of their last seven league games, losing five of those matches.

Victory at Manchester City in December is Everton's only away win in their last nine league games.

The leading goalscorer(s) forEvertonandBoltonare;

Cahil (9 Goals) Saha (9 Goals)

Elmander (10 Goals) Kevin Davies (8 Goals)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Lee Probert

Assistant referees: Ceri Richards & Paul Thompson

Fourth official: Jon Moss

Have Fun watching the game, i'll be posting blog after the game reviewing the game it's self

Nikica Jelavic scored a hat-trick and David Healy netted on his debut as Rangers hammered Scottish Premier League rivals Motherwell.

Steven Naismith put the hosts ahead on five mintues and Jelavic fired home twice before the interval.
Shaun Hutchinson's own goal extended Rangers' advantage and Jelavic got his treble with a 79th-minute strike.
And substitute Healy completed the scoring late on as Rangers moved closer to SPL leaders Celtic.
The Ibrox side, who have a game in hand, are now two points behind Celtic, who are due to face Dundee United on Sunday ahead of next Sunday's Old Firm league derby.
El Hadji Diouf had an excellent chance to open his Rangers account when he was put through on goal by Vladimir Weiss's pass, but the on-loan Blackburn player poked his shot wide.
But Rangers soon moved ahead and Weiss was once again the architect of the attack.
The winger played a one-two with Jelavic and crossed for Naismith to convert from close range.
Jelavic's shot trickled wide as Rangers kept up the early pressure and Weiss's appeal for a penalty fell on deaf ears after he went down in the box under the challenge of Steve Jones.
Motherwell gradually came into the game and Tom Hateley's free-kick found Jones, who fired into the side netting.
And then, from open play, a neat series of passes led to Gavin Gunning crossing for John Sutton to flash a header over.
However, just as the visitors were enjoying their best spell, the hosts dealt them a sucker blow.
Kyle Bartley, making his first appearance since joining on loan from Arsenal, retained possession well and released Steven Whittaker in space and the full-back squared for Jelavic to find the net.
Within three minutes, the Croatian striker had grabbed his second of the day, flicking the ball home after being found unmarked by Weiss's free-kick delivery.
One sour note for Rangers in the first half was the withdrawal of Naismith, the forward taken off with a knock to be replaced with John Fleck.
There was still time before the break for Fleck to set up Jelavic for a hat-trick chance, but the striker elected to shoot instead of heading the cross and could not find the target.
It was Jelavic who set up Fleck at the start of the second half, the substitute heading over.
Motherwell sub Ross Forbes produced a fierce drive that required Allan McGregor to tip over on 56 minutes.
Fleck forced a save from Darren Randolph with a shot before Healy made his Rangers debut as a replacement for Diouf.
Steven Davis's audacious back-heel attempt was deflected wide of the Motherwell goal as Rangers pressed for more goals.
Their pressure paid off when Fleck's cross towards Jelavic was diverted past Randolph by Hutchinson.
Having missed out on his treble in that attack, Jelavic was more successful when he latched on to Sasa Papac's knock down and squirmed a shot under the body of Randolph.
Healy completed the scoring with his first Rangers goal, converting Madjid Bougherra's cross.
Motherwell pushed for a late consolation, but new signing Francis Jeffers was unsuccessful in claiming for a penalty and Forbes was denied again by McGregor near the end.

Liverpool's resurgence under Kenny Dalglish was dealt a setback as struggling Wigan battled to a deserved draw at Anfield.

The home side led at the break thanks to Raul Meireles' volley - his fourth goal in his last five matches.
But Wigan fought back and equalised when Steve Gohouri prodded in Antolin Alcaraz's flick on at the far post.
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was twice denied a goal by the woodwork on his first start for the club.
The Uruguyan's selection signalled a more adventurous Liverpool formation to the one that employed a heavily-loaded midfield and a three-man defence in a successful contain and capitalise operation at Chelsea last Sunday.
It was a system designed to dominate their struggling opponents but, despite coming into the game full of confidence off the back of four successive wins, they were unable to do so.
This may be partly due to the absence of midfield driving-force Steven Gerrard, who missed the game because of the thigh injury that caused him to sit out England's international win in Denmark on Wednesday.
The chief reason though was the performance of Wigan, who adopted a similar philosophy as that used to such good effect by their hosts in London six days ago.
Wigan's performance was a battling one - which should give them heart in their quest to avoid the drop - but it also showcased enough fluency and ability to make one wonder why even with this point they remain in the relegation zone, albeit only on goal difference.
The Latics began the game well, looking composed with the lion's share of possession, without creating anything of meaning to hurt the home side.
In contrast, when Liverpool came forward they looked more threatening, and it was they who had the first goal-bound effort courtesy of Dirk Kuyt's 25-yard drive, which Ali Al-Habsi saved.
The home side were growing as a force soon after they went ahead when Fabio Aurelio's cross from the left was deflected to Meireles by the attempted headed clearance of Gohouri, and the Portuguese midfielder lashed a volley past Al-Habsi.
Suarez almost doubled the lead soon after, but after jinking in from the left, his curling effort struck the far post and went wide.
Wigan refused to wilt though and continued as a threat in the game, although Charles N'Zogbia's 25-yard free-kick - easily gathered by Reina - was their only effort on target before the break.
The visitors would fashion the first chance of the second half, and it was one from which they should have scored, but Hugo Rodallega put his first-time side-foot effort wide after being found at the near post by Victor Moses.
The miss did not dishearten them though and with 65 minutes gone they got a deserved, but controversial, equaliser.
N'Zogbia's inswinging cross from the right was flicked on by the head of Antolin Alcaraz and then prodded in at the back-post by Gohouri.
The defender appeared to be in an offside position when Alcaraz made contact, but the linesman's flag stayed down.
It was the first goal Liverpool had conceded in over seven hours of football, since Jermaine Beckford's strike for Everton in the 2-2 draw at Anfield on 16 January.

Wayne Rooney's spectacular late winner put Manchester United's Premier League title assault back on course and left Manchester City devastated at Old Trafford.
David Silva's deflected equaliser put Roberto Mancini's side in sight of a point after Nani's first-half goal gave United a slender advantage in a tight and tense encounter.
It was Rooney, however, who produced a moment of inspiration to score a stunning overhead kick that will live forever in the memory of United's fans and extended City's dismal sequence of only one league win in their last 27 visits to Old Trafford.
Silva's fortunate leveller, unwittingly deflecting in substitute Edin Dzeko's shot via his back, had given City momentum but they were stopped in their tracks in the most dramatic fashion with only 12 minutes left.
Nani's cross from the right flank was high and behind Rooney as he lurked near the penalty spot, but he elevated an indifferent personal display to the heights by readjusting his position and sending an acrobatic, unstoppable overhead kick high past startled City keeper Joe Hart.
The quality of the goal was worthy of winning any game and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may even look back on it as a strike that won the title after they bounced back from their first Premier League defeat of the season at Wolves last Saturday.
Rooney, superbly shackled by City defender Vincent Kompany for so long as United boss Sir Alex Ferguson surprisingly left Dimitar Berbatov on the bench, had previously cut a forlorn and frustrated figure, but his natural instincts continue to serve him and United so well.

And if his love affair with Old Trafford was strained by the saga of his demand to leave earlier this season, the bond was rekindled as United claimed a vital victory.

It enabled them to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points at the final whistle - and also inflicted a serious blow to City's own lingering hopes of mounting a challenge as they now stand eight points behind United having played a game more.
City were left to regret failing to make the most of some early supremacy when Silva squandered the perfect opportunity to strike a crucial blow early on in the second minute.
United boss Ferguson entrusted Rooney with a lone attacking role - and in the opening stages it was City who made all the running and should have taken the lead in the opening moments.
Silva, a significant influence as City dominated, exchanged passes with Carlos Tevez inside the area and was left with only Edwin van der Sar to beat. The angle was acute but the gifted Spaniard was wasteful as he rolled a tame finish across the face of goal and inches wide.
The hulking figure of Yaya Toure also cast a giant shadow over United's midfield as they struggled to assert any authority and he was frustrated when referee Andre Marriner ignored his penalty appeals when his cross struck Chris Smalling.
As United finally started to pose a threat Darren Fletcher headed straight at City keeper Hart from Ryan Giggs' cross - and the seemingly ageless Old Trafford veteran was instrumental when they took the lead four minutes before the interval.
Rooney challenged for Van der Sar's clearance and Giggs pounced to deliver an inviting pass for Nani, who escape the attentions of Pablo Zabaleta to slide a composed finish past Hart.
City boss Mancini, who watched his team fail to capitalise on so much early possession, made a change early in the second half when he replaced Aleksandar Kolarov with Shaun Wright-Phillips.
And in an attempt to actually call Van der Sar into serious action, something City had failed to do, he then introduced Dzeko for James Milner.
The impact was exactly what City required as both substitutes were involved when they drew level after 65 minutes. Wright-Phillips' cross fell to Dzeko and his effort took a vital touch of Silva's back to wrong-foot Van der Sar.
Ferguson immediately introduced Berbatov for Anderson, but it was that moment of brilliance from Rooney that put them back in front and visibly deflated City.
City were stunned at being struck by such a blow and their threat fizzled out as Old Trafford buzzed with excitement at what had unfolded. United survived in comfort to close out a crucial victory.

Friday, 11 February 2011

Roy Hodgson named new manager of West Brom

Hodgson is set to embark on his 20th job in football management

West Brom have appointed former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson as their new head coach.

The 63-year-old, who parted company with the Reds in January after only six months in charge, succeeds Roberto di Matteo at the Hawthorns.
Di Matteo was relieved of his duties and placed on gardening leave following Saturday's 3-0 loss at Manchester City.
Caretaker head coach Michael Appleton will remain in temporary charge for the visit of West Ham on Saturday.
"The club are now channelling all of their efforts into supporting Appleton, his assistants Keith Downing and Dean Kiely and the players as they prepare for tomorrow's vital game," said a statement.
Hodgson will attend the match on a watching brief before meeting the West Brom hierarchy to discuss his plans and facing the media next week.
The former Inter Milan, Blackburn and Switzerland boss has signed a contract until June 2012 and takes over a Baggies side who have lost 13 of their last 18 matches in all competitions.

HODGSON JOBS SINCE 1990

1990-92: Neuchatel Xamax

1992-95: Switzerland

1995-97: Inter Milan

1997-98: Blackburn

1999: Inter Milan

1999-2000: Grasshopper

2000-01: FC Copenhagen

2001: Udinese

2001-04: United Arab Emirates

2004-05: Viking

2006-07: Finland

2007-10: Fulham

2010-11: Liverpool

He was voted manager of the year by the League Managers' Association after guiding Fulham to the 2010 Europa League final and succeeded Rafael Benitez at Liverpool that summer.
But the Englishman was dismissed on 8 January having won just seven of 20 Premier League games, with Reds legend Kenny Dalglish immediately installed as interim boss.
Hodgson admits he never intended to return to management so quickly after being sacked by Liverpool last month.
But he says he was so impressed with the West Brom "project" he decided to accept the offer.
"It was not my intention to return to Barclays Premier League football this quickly," said Hodgson.
"But I was so impressed by the way the chairman [Jeremy Peace] and the sporting and technical director [Dan Ashworth] sold the project to me that I was very happy to accept the offer.
"I am delighted that a club of West Bromwich Albion's stature has given me the opportunity to help them in their quest to retain their Premier League status and to build for the future."
Peace insisted Hodgson was always Albion's first choice.
"At such a vital stage of the season, we felt it was important we identified and appointed the right man as quickly as possible," he said.
"Roy emerged as the outstanding and unanimous choice of the football club board and we are delighted to have appointed our number-one target.
"We believe his vast experience and knowledge of the game is exactly what we need for the challenge we face, both in the short and long term."
Hodgson will not have to wait long to face his old club, with Liverpool due at the Hawthorns on 2 April.
A West Brom spokesman confirmed to BBC Sport that Di Matteo remains on gardening leave and relieved of his duties until any further announcement.
Chris Hughton was reportedly in pole position to replace the Italian, but it is understood there were potential hitches with the former Newcastle manager's support staff.
"Hughton would probably want to bring in his two trusted assistants from his Newcastle days, Paul Barron, who is out of work, and Colin Calderwood, who is Hibernian manager, so compensation to Hibs might complicate matters," said BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands reporter Pat Murphy on Thursday.
"And Hughton would have to agree to work alongside Dan Ashworth, the club's highly regarded sporting and technical director."
Appleton - at 35 the youngest man ever to be put in charge of a Premier League team - was also interested in the job, telling BBC WM: "I've never hidden the fact that I wanted to be a manager since retiring [in 2004].
"I spoke to the chairman [Jeremy Peace] and Dan Ashworth and ultimately they explained what had happened and was I prepared to take the role.
"It would've been foolish not to, at the end of the day. I felt it was responsible to look after the players, and at least they know me and they can trust me.
"The first thing I did was ring Roberto, Eddie [Newton] and Ade [Mafe] just to offer my support. We had a good chat, they were very philosophical about the situation, and wished me all the best."
The former Manchester United and Preston midfielder denied some newspaper stories suggesting there were disagreements brewing between Di Matteo and the players, leading to the Italian losing the dressing room.
"No, no, I don't think that is the case at all, you hear stories on that all the time," Appleton insisted. "We were just going through a poor run, the facts speak for themselves."
Appleton also responded to reports that some members of the squad found Di Matteo to be cold and aloof.
"You're going to get that at any football club, people who are out of the XI are going to moan and say stuff about this, about the coaching staff, about managers - that happens all over the country and all over the world," he added.